When I was a teenager, I was obsessed with makeup. When I looked for beauty that wasn’t washable, I got into (ironically) skincare. Now that—gulp—I’m approaching the big 30, I’m starting to think more about wellness.
It’s been six months since I’ve started hitting the gym at least three times a week. I’m avoiding alcohol, both in my beverages and denatured alcohol in my beauty products, foregoing its immediate results in place of not developing dry skin and wrinkles in the future. I traded in my nightly Netflix snacks of chips for unsalted cashews. Wellness isn’t just about physical looks, it’s about creating a healthy lifestyle and taking care of yourself holistically.
I notice more about more brands are picking up on how conscious I’m becoming. Watsons, a favorite place when I need a restock of self-care items, has “Watsons Wellness” in time for their women’s celebration this season.
Added to my wellness routine are Vit. E capsules from their in-house label. When taken at the right amount, it helps with the immune system, preventing stroke-induced brain damage and protecting against certain cancers. It also makes for beautiful hair, skin, and nails.
I also am living by the “Don’t sleep with your makeup on” rule which every other makeup guru has preached about. On even the laziest nights, the Banila Co. Clean It Zero cleansing balm is there for me. I love it because you don’t waste any cotton to use it, unlike micellar water. Yet it’s potent enough to remove your waterproof eyeliner and mascara without the harmful tugging. Plus it exfoliates with Vitamin C-rich acerola extract.
When it comes to masks, I’ve taken to Esfolio’s Snail Essence Mask Sheet. Something to pop on in the morning to prepare your skin for makeup and to boost up the hydrating. A must for warm days and also when it gets a little cold but the air is humid. I think a moisturized skin makes for a better base for makeup than a silicone primer.
It doesn’t stop there, though. After all my skincare rituals, I top it off always with sunscreen. If it’s the only thing you can do for your face after washing it, then you’ve done more than enough. Sun damage is permanent and also goes beyond the skin. A constant favorite is Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel. The way it’s absorbed by the skin and how it doesn’t leave behind a sticky feeling or a strong scent means you’ve got no excuses to be sunblock-free.
Drinking water is a high priority when talking wellness. Aside from the eight glasses, I drink a day, I give my skin a drink with Avène Thermal Spring Water. Think of it as pure rain mixed with sea-spray rich in mineral salts, making a wonder product to use for everything: as a toner, for irritated skin, to soothe dryness during traveling and after sports. You can also use it for your baby’s rashes without doubting the purity of the ingredients and how safe it is for infants.
At the end of the day, I take a bath with products that don’t just help me cleanse my skin but help me relax. First, there’s SnailWhite Whipp Soap that contains blackcurrant seed oil, sunflower oil concentrate and balloon vine extract that brightens skin. In an UltraWeave Mesh, the soap also helps sooth the skin of any irritation gently.
Body lotion is also key. I have a feeling the right one helps you sleep better. A top pick would be Love Beauty and Planet’s Soothe & Serene Body Lotion. It has argan oil and other plant-based moisturizers so you can wake up to softer skin. Made with no parabens, no silicones, and no dyes, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you also did the planet some good along with the calming scent of French lavender, ethically sourced from the Drôme Provençale Region of France.
